KARACHI: Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi School of Visual and Performing Arts proudly presented the Thesis Display 2024, a showcase of creative brilliance from Fine Arts, Textile Design, and Communication students in their third and fourth years, at Ahmed Pervez Art Gallery. The prestigious event was inaugurated by the Provincial Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Archives, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah. The ceremony saw the presence of President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah, alongside notable personalities including Shahid Rassam, Farrukh Shahab, Nazar-ul-Islam, Muhammad Zeeshan, and Jawad Jan Baloch, as well as the dedicated faculty who nurtured these young talents.
Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, in his opening remarks, emphasized the profound role of culture in bridging divides. He stated that culture is the universal language that transcends borders. Today’s display is a testament to the extraordinary potential of our youth, and it fills me with immense pride. “I am grateful to Muhammad Ahmed Shah and Shahid Rassam.
Exhibitions and art displays like these empower our children and make them self-reliant. These are the children who showcase Pakistan’s positive image internationally Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi holds the top position across the country for its work in promoting art and culture, and the credit for this goes to Muhammad Ahmed Shah. He shared that during a visit to Turkey, he met India’s renowned actor Anil Kapoor, who expressed his desire to meet Ahmed Shah whenever he visits Pakistan. He further stated that efforts are underway to start screening Indian films in Pakistani cinemas.
Preparations for the next World Culture Festival have already begun, aiming to bring artists from all over the world together in one place. Ahmed Shah is the president of all the Arts Councils in Sindh, and plans are in motion to organize events in Hyderabad, Larkana, Mirpur Khas, and other interior regions of Sindh.”
President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah expressed his pride in the students whose hard work is bearing fruit. “We have never let these children lose hope,” he said, announcing that this year will see the establishment of the Arts Council’s Fine Art University. He added that the Arts Council will begin awarding official degrees next year, asserting, “If any art university’s degree will hold value in this country, it will be from the Arts Council’s university.” He further said that Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah has made significant contributions not only to culture but also to heritage. He remarked that when children dedicate themselves to their canvas or their music, they become powerful.” He highlighted that leading artists from across the country often acknowledge the exceptional quality of students and their work, which is unmatched outside the Arts Council. “Whether the students come from Liaquatabad or Lyari, the Arts Council invests over one lakh rupees on each child, ensuring they receive the support needed to thrive,” he added.
The principal of the Art School, Shahid Rassam, stated that this is the thesis work of our Art School students. We started this initiative ten years ago and later decided to include third-year students’ thesis in the display as well. The dedication of all our faculty members has been instrumental in making this display a success.
Today, the Art School of the Arts Council stands as the leading art school in Pakistan. There were children who couldn’t even afford paper and pencils, but we had only one expectation from them: to work with passion and dedication. Today, we are immensely proud of these students and their remarkable achievements.” The exhibition featured captivating works from students across disciplines, showcasing creativity, skill, and innovation. The Thesis Display featured remarkable works by students across various disciplines.
In Fine Arts (Third Year), the showcased projects included those by Asim Naqvi, Taha Abbas, Ramsha Khasheer, Zahra Ali, and Faha Shabi. In Communication Design (Fourth Year), projects by Huzaifa Khan, Abdullah Ali Khan, and Akram Ullah Khan were displayed.
The Textile Design section highlighted the creative efforts of Sani e Zehra from the third year and Huzaifa Khan and Aliza Abdul Wahab from the fourth year. Each piece reflected the dedication and passion that define the Arts Council’s vision for artistic excellence. The three-day event, which began on January 15, 2025, is set to conclude on January 17, 2025, at the Ahmed Pervez Art Gallery, Ahmed Shah Building.
